System and method for dispensing liquid crystal material and method for fabricating liquid crystal display device using the same

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal dispensing system in which dispensing of a liquid crystal material is paused when an earthquake or the like occurs, while restarting the dispensing of the liquid crystal material when the earthquake stops, the liquid crystal dispensing system comprising a liquid crystal dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid crystal material onto a substrate, a detecting unit for detecting an abnormal dispensing, and a controller for controlling the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus to pause dispensing of the liquid crystal material when an abnormal dispensing of liquid crystal material is detected.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.2005-53202, filed on Jun. 20, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal dispensing system anda method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device using thesame, and particularly, to a liquid crystal dispensing system capable ofpreventing or minimizing a fabrication of a defective liquid crystalpanel caused by an external impact.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

As various portable electric devices such as mobile phones, personaldigital assistants (PDA), notebook computers, etc., continue to bedeveloped, various types of flat panel display devices such as liquidcrystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), field emissiondisplays (FEDs), and vacuum florescent displays (VFDs), which have suchadvantages as compact construction, light weight and lowpower-consumption, also continue to be developed. Owing to their simpledriving scheme and superior ability to display images, LCDs are widelyused in many electric devices.

An LCD device is a device that displays information on a screen by usingthe refractive anisotropy characteristics of liquid crystal. FIG. 1 is across-sectional view illustrating an LCD device according to the relatedart.

Referring to FIG. 1, the LCD device 1 includes a lower substrate 5, aupper substrate 3 and a liquid crystal layer 7 formed therebetween. Thelower substrate 5 (i.e., a driving device array substrate) includes aplurality of pixels (not shown), with a driving device (e.g., a thinfilm transistor (TFT)) and a pixel electrode formed at each pixel. Theupper substrate 3 (i.e., a color filter substrate) includes a colorfilter layer for reproducing color images and a common electrode.Alignment layers are formed on both the lower and upper substrates 5 and3 to align the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 7.

The lower substrate 5 and the upper substrate 3 are attached to eachother by a sealant material 9 formed at peripheral regions thereof, andthe liquid crystal layer 7 is confined within an area defined by theseal material 9. The light transmittance characteristics of the pixelsare controlled by electric fields between the pixel electrodes and thecommon electrode. The electric fields reorient the liquid crystalmolecules of the liquid crystal layer 7 to display a picture.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for fabricating the relatedart LCD device illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, a method for fabricating the related art LCD deviceincludes three sub-processes: a TFT array substrate forming process; acolor filter substrate forming process; and a cell forming process.

In step S101, A plurality of gate lines and data lines are formed on thelower substrate 5 (e.g., a glass substrate) to define an array of pixelareas according to the TFT array substrate forming process. TFTs areconnected to the gate lines and the data lines within each pixel area,and pixel electrodes are connected to the thin film transistors to drivea subsequently provided liquid crystal layer in accordance with signalsapplied through the thin film transistors.

In step S104, R, G and B color filter layers for displaying color imagesand a common electrode are formed on the upper substrate 3 (i.e., aglass substrate) according to the color filter process.

In steps of S102 and S105, alignment layers are formed on the surfacesof both the lower substrate 5 and upper substrate 3. Subsequently, thealignment layers are rubbed to induce surface anchoring (i.e., a pretiltangle and alignment direction) within the liquid crystal molecules ofthe liquid crystal layer 7.

In step S103, spacers are dispersed onto the lower substrate 5. In stepS106, a sealant material is printed at peripheral regions of the uppersubstrate 3. In step S107, the lower and upper substrates 5 and 3 arepressed and bonded together (i.e., assembled) and the spacers dispersedat step S103 maintain a uniform cell gap between the assembled lower andupper substrates 5 and 3.

In step S108, the assembled upper and lower substrates 5 and 3, whichare large glass substrates, are cut into unit panels. Specifically, eachof the lower substrate 5 and the upper substrate 3 includes a pluralityof unit panel areas and each unit panel includes individual TFT arraysand color filters.

In step S109, a liquid crystal material is injected into the cell gap ofeach of the unit panels through a liquid crystal injection hole definedwithin the sealant material. After each cell gap is completely filledwith the liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal injection hole issealed. In step S110, the filled and sealed unit panels are then tested.Here, the liquid crystal material is injected through the injection holebecause of a pressure difference.

FIG. 3 illustrates a liquid crystal injection system according to therelated art for fabricating an LCD device.

Referring to FIG. 3, a container 12 containing a liquid crystal material14 is placed into a vacuum chamber 10 connected to a vacuum pump (notshown). Subsequently, a unit panel 1 formed as described above withrespect to FIG. 2 is arranged over the container 12 using a unit panelhandling device (not shown). Next, the vacuum pump is operated to reducethe pressure within the vacuum chamber 10 to a predetermined vacuumstate. The unit panel handling device then lowers the unit panel 1 suchthat a liquid crystal injection hole 16 contacts a surface of the liquidcrystal material 14. After the contact is established, the liquidcrystal material 14 contained within the container 12 can be intaken tothe cell gap of the unit panel 1 through the liquid crystal injectionhole 16. The injection method described above is known as a dippinginjection method.

After the contact is established, the rate at which the liquid crystalmaterial 14 is intaken to the cell gap of the unit panel 1 can beincreased by pumping nitrogen gas (N₂) into the vacuum chamber 10,thereby increasing the pressure within the vacuum chamber 10. As thepressure within the vacuum chamber 10 increases, a pressure differencebetween the cell gap of the unit panel 1 and the interior of the vacuumchamber 10 is created. Accordingly, the liquid crystal material 14contained in the container 12 can be injected into the cell gap of theunit panel 1 at an increased injection rate. As mentioned above, oncethe cell gap of the unit panel 1 is completely filled with the liquidcrystal material 14, the injection hole 16 is sealed by a sealant andthe injected liquid crystal material 14 is sealed within the unit panel1. The injection method described above is known as a vacuum injectionmethod.

Despite their usefulness, there are several problems with theaforementioned dipping and vacuum injection methods.

First, it takes a relatively long time for the dipping/vacuum injectionmethods to completely fill the cell gap of the unit panel 1 with theliquid crystal material 14. Specifically, because the cell gap of theunit panel 1 is only a few micrometers wide, only a small amount of theliquid crystal material 14 can be injected into the unit panel 1 perunit time. For example, it can takes about 8 hours to completely injectthe liquid crystal material 14 into the cell gap of a 15-inch liquidcrystal display panel, which decreases the production efficiency.

Second, the aforementioned dipping/vacuum injection methods require anexcessively large amount of the liquid crystal material 14. Only a smallamount of the liquid crystal material 14 is actually injected into theunit panel 1. Because the liquid crystal material 14 contained in thecontainer 12 is exposed to the atmosphere or certain other process gasesduring loading and unloading of the unit panel 1 in and out of thevacuum chamber 10, the liquid crystal material 14 can easily becomecontaminated. Therefore, the remaining liquid crystal material 14 shouldbe discarded, which increases the production cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a liquid crystaldispensing system and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystaldisplay device using the same that substantially obviate one or more ofthe problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystaldispensing system and method capable of preventing or minimizing afabrication of a defective LCD panel caused by an external impact.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These andother advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by thestructure particularly pointed out in the written description and claimshereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, aliquid crystal dispensing system includes a liquid crystal dispensingapparatus for dispensing a liquid crystal material onto a substrate; adetecting unit for detecting an external impact; and a controller forpausing dispensing of the liquid crystal material by controlling theliquid crystal dispensing apparatus when the abnormal dispensing isdetected by the detecting unit.

The liquid crystal dispensing apparatus may include a liquid crystalmaterial container filled with the liquid crystal material; a dischargepump which includes a cylinder, a piston inserted into the cylinder andhaving a groove at a lower portion, the piston being rotated and movingupwardly and downwardly for intaking and discharging the liquid crystalmaterial, and a suction opening and a discharge opening for intaking anddischarging the liquid crystal material according to the motions of thepiston; and a nozzle for dispensing the liquid crystal materialdischarged through the discharge pump onto the substrate. The detectingunit refers to an electronic scale for measuring a dispensing amount ofthe liquid crystal material (i.e., an amount of the liquid crystalmaterial to be dispensed), and inputs a signal to the controller when animpact is applied.

The controller may include an abnormal dispensing detecting unit fordetecting an abnormal dispensing based on a signal inputted from thedetecting unit; a dispensing amount setting unit for setting an amountof the liquid crystal material to be dispensed onto a substrate; adispensing amount compensating unit for compensating a differencebetween a dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material set by thedispensing amount setting unit and an actual amount of the liquidcrystal material dispensed onto the substrate; a motor driving unit fordriving a motor to operate the discharge pump; and a substrate drivingunit for aligning the substrate to a dispensing position of each nozzle.The abnormal dispensing detecting unit may include a signal analyzingunit for analyzing a signal inputted from the detecting unit and anabnormal state detecting unit for comparing the signal inputted from thesignal analyzing unit with a set value to detect an abnormal state ofthe dispensing.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a liquidcrystal dispensing method includes detecting an abnormal dispensing of aliquid crystal material; aligning liquid crystal dispensing apparatusesover dispensing positions; and dispensing the liquid crystal materialonto the dispensing positions.

The step of detecting the abnormal dispensing may include a signal beinginputted from a weight measurement scale for measuring a dispensingamount of the liquid crystal material, and comparing the inputted signalwith a set value to thus detect an abnormal dispensing of the liquidcrystal material, while the step of dispensing the liquid crystalmaterial may include measuring the dispensing amount of the liquidcrystal material, compensating the dispensing amount of the liquidcrystal material upon generating a deviation between the measureddispensing amount and the set dispensing amount, and dispensing theliquid crystal material onto the substrate.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an LCD device according tothe related art;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for fabricating the relatedart LCD device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a liquid crystal injection system according to therelated art for fabricating an LCD device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an LCD device fabricated bya liquid crystal dispensing method;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for fabricating an LCDdevice according to a liquid crystal dispensing method;

FIG. 6 illustrates a liquid crystal dispensing method according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid crystal dispensingapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid crystal dispensingapparatus in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a liquid crystal discharge pump of theliquid crystal dispensing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 9B is an exploded perspective view of the liquid crystal dischargepump;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the liquid crystal dischargepump fixed to the fixing member;

FIGS. 11A to 11D are operational views of the liquid crystal dischargepump according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 a schematic view illustrating the liquid crystal discharge pumpfixed to a fixing member at an increased fixation angle;

FIG. 13 a schematic view illustrating a liquid crystal dispensing systemhaving a plurality of liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a controller of aliquid crystal dispensing system according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an abnormaldispensing detecting unit of a liquid crystal dispensing systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a dispensingamount compensating unit of a liquid crystal dispensing system accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a motor drivingunit of a liquid crystal dispensing system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a liquid crystal dispensing methodusing a liquid crystal dispensing system according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method for detecting an abnormal dispensingin a liquid crystal dispensing system according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

A liquid crystal dispensing method has been proposed to solve theproblems associated with the aforementioned dipping/vacuum injectionmethods. According to the liquid crystal dispensing method, a liquidcrystal layer can be formed by dispensing a liquid crystal materialdirectly onto one of the upper and lower substrates. Subsequently, thedispensed liquid crystal material is spread over the upper and lowersubstrates upon pressing and bonding the upper and lower substratestogether (i.e., assembling the upper and lower substrates). Accordingly,a liquid crystal layer may be formed in a short time with the liquidcrystal dispensing method compared to the dipping/vacuum injectionmethods. Further, the liquid crystal dispensing method consumes less theliquid crystal material than either the dipping or vacuum injectionmethod.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an LCD device fabricated bya liquid crystal dispensing method.

Referring to FIG. 4, a liquid crystal material 107 is dispensed in theform of droplets directly onto a lower substrate 105 prior to assemblingthe lower substrate 105 and a upper substrate 103. The aforementionedTFT array substrate may be the lower substrate 105 and theaforementioned color filter (CF) substrate may be the upper substrate103. The liquid crystal material 107 is dispensed onto the uppersubstrate 103 in this embodiment. However, the liquid crystal materialcan be dispensed either on the TFT substrate or on the CF substrateaccording to the liquid crystal dispensing method. The substrate onwhich the liquid crystal material is dispensed is beneficially disposedat a lower position than the other substrate during the assemblingprocess.

A sealant material 109 is applied to peripheral regions of the uppersubstrate 103. As mentioned above, the dispensed liquid crystal material107 spreads and forms a uniform cell gap between the lower and uppersubstrates 105 and 103 as the substrates are pressed and bonded togetherto form an LCD panel 101. Specifically, in the present invention, theliquid crystal material 107 is dispensed onto the lower substrate andthen the lower and upper substrates are bonded together by the sealantmaterial 109.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for fabricating an LCDdevice according to a liquid crystal dispensing method.

In steps S201 and S204, an array of driving devices, such as TFTs, isformed on the lower substrate 105 according to the TFT array substrateforming process, and a color filter is formed on the upper substrate 103according to the color filter substrate forming process. These twoprocesses may be performed in the same manner as described with respectto FIG. 2, and the lower and upper substrates are large glass substratesin which a plurality of panel regions are formed. For example, the sizesof the lower and upper substrates are at least about 1000×1200 mm.

In steps S202 and S205, alignment layers are formed over the surfaces ofboth the lower and upper substrates 105 and 103. Then, the alignmentlayers are rubbed or photo-aligned. In step S203, a liquid crystalmaterial may be dispensed directly onto a unit panel area defined on thelower substrate 105. In step S206, a sealant material may be provided(e.g., printed) at peripheral regions of a unit panel area defined onthe upper substrate 103.

In step S207, the upper and lower substrates 103 and 105 are aligned andsubsequently pressed and bonded together (i.e., assembled). Uponassembling the upper and lower substrates 103 and 105, the dispensedliquid crystal material is evenly spread between the upper and lowersubstrates within a region defined by the sealant material. In stepS208, the assembled upper and lower substrates are cut into a pluralityof unit LCD panels which are then tested.

The liquid crystal dispensing method described above is different fromthe related art dipping/vacuum injection methods described with respectto FIG. 2. Specifically, the dipping/vacuum injection methods involveinjecting a liquid crystal material into a predetermined cell gapthrough a liquid crystal injection hole defined by a sealant materialand sealing the liquid crystal injection hole. Although not shown inFIG. 2, because outer surfaces of the unit panel contact the liquidcrystal material contained within the container when injecting theliquid crystal material into the cell gap of the unit panel, the unitpanel must be washed after the cell gap is completely filled with theliquid crystal material. The liquid crystal dispensing methodillustrated in FIG. 5, however, dispenses the liquid crystal materialdirectly onto one of the substrates, thereby eliminating the need forany liquid crystal injection hole. Moreover, because the liquid crystalmaterial is dispensed directly onto one of the substrates, it is notrequired to clean the outer surfaces of the LCD panel to remove theliquid crystal material. Accordingly, the liquid crystal dispensingmethod for fabricating an LCD device is simpler and has a higher yieldthan the related art dipping/vacuum injection methods.

In the LCD device fabrication method using the liquid crystal droppingmethod, dispensing positions (i.e., positions on a substrate wheredroplets of a liquid crystal material are to be dispensed) anddispensing amounts (i.e., a total amount of a liquid crystal material tobe dispensed) have a heavy influence on the formation of a liquidcrystal layer with a desired thickness. Because the thickness of aliquid crystal layer is closely related to the cell gap of an LCD panel,dispensing positions and amounts should be precisely controlled toprevent a fabrication of a defective LCD panel. Accordingly, the presentinvention provides a liquid crystal dispensing apparatus that canprecisely control dispensing positions and amounts.

FIG. 6 illustrates a liquid crystal dispensing method according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a liquid crystal dispensing apparatus is arrangedabove the lower substrate 105 (e.g., a glass substrate) and droplets ofa liquid crystal material are dispensed from the liquid crystaldispensing apparatus 120.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary structure of aliquid crystal dispensing apparatus 120 according to the presentinvention, FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid crystaldispensing apparatus in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a liquid crystal material container 122having a cylindrical shape is accommodated within a case 123 in theliquid crystal dispensing apparatus 120. The liquid crystal materialcontainer 122 may be formed of polyethylene and contains a liquidcrystal material 107 therein and the case 123 may be formed of stainlesssteel. Because polyethylene is an easily deformable material, thecontainer 122 can be easily fabricated with a desired shape. Also,polyethylene is non-reactive with the liquid crystal material 107 and itis thus beneficially used to produce the liquid crystal materialcontainer 122. However, the polyethylene has a low strength and maytherefore become easily deformed by an external impact. When the liquidcrystal material container 122 is deformed, the liquid crystal material107 may not be precisely dispensed onto a substrate. Accordingly, theliquid crystal material container 122 may be inserted within the case123 formed of stainless steel having a high strength.

Although not shown, a gas supply tube may be arranged at a upper portionof the liquid crystal material container 122 to transport a gas, such asnitrogen, from the exterior. The gas is supplied within portions of theliquid crystal material container 122 not occupied by the liquid crystalmaterial 107. Accordingly, the gas pressure on the liquid crystalmaterial 107 facilitates the liquid crystal material to be dispensedonto the substrate.

The liquid crystal material container 122 may include a material thatdoes not deform, such as stainless steel. Accordingly, when the liquidcrystal material container 122 is formed of stainless steel, the case123 may not be required, thereby reducing fabrication costs of theliquid crystal dispenser 120. In such a case, the interior of the liquidcrystal material container 122 may be coated with a fluorine resin toprevent the liquid crystal material 107 contained within the liquidcrystal material container 122 from chemically reacting with thesidewalls of the liquid crystal material container 122.

A liquid crystal discharge pump 140 is arranged at a lower portion ofthe liquid crystal material container 122. The liquid crystal dischargepump 140 discharges a predetermined amount of liquid crystal from theliquid crystal material container 122 onto a substrate. The liquidcrystal discharge pump 140 is provided with a liquid crystal suctionopening 147 connected to the liquid crystal material container 122 forintaking the liquid crystal material 107 according to the operation ofthe liquid crystal discharge pump 140, and a liquid crystal dischargeopening 148 at the opposite side of the liquid crystal suction opening147 for discharging the liquid crystal material 107 according to theoperation of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140.

Referring to FIG. 8, the liquid crystal suction opening 147 is coupledto a first connecting tube 126. In another aspect of the presentinvention, the liquid crystal suction opening 147 may be coupled to thefirst connecting tube 126 by being inserted into the first connectingtube 126 or via a coupling unit (e.g., a screw, or the like). A hollowpin 128 (e.g., an injection needle) is formed at one side of the firstconnecting tube 126 and a pad (not shown), which is formed of a highlycompressible material and capable of forming a hermetic material (e.g.,silicon, butyl rubber material, or the like), is arranged at a lowerportion of the liquid crystal material container 122 from which theliquid crystal material 107 intakes the first connecting tube 126. Thepin 128 is inserted through the pad and into the liquid crystal materialcontainer 122 to transport the liquid crystal material 107 in thecontainer 122 into the liquid crystal suction opening 126. Uponinsertion of the pin 128, the pad presses against the outside the liquidcrystal suction opening 147 to prevent the liquid crystal material 107from leaking to the insertion region of the pin 128. Thus, because theliquid crystal suction opening 147 and the liquid crystal materialcontainer 122 are coupled to each other via a pin/pad structure, theliquid crystal suction opening 147 may be simply coupled and decoupledto the liquid crystal material container 122.

Alternatively, the liquid crystal suction opening 147 may be integrallyformed with the first connecting tube 126 to simplify the structure. Inthis case, the pin 128 is formed at the liquid crystal suction opening147 and is directly inserted into the liquid crystal material container122 via the pad to transport the liquid crystal material within thecontainer 122 into the liquid crystal suction opening 147.

A nozzle 150 is arranged at a lower portion of the liquid crystaldischarge pump 140. The nozzle 150 is connected to the liquid crystaldischarge opening 148 of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 via asecond connecting tube 160 to facilitate discharging the liquid crystalmaterial 107 onto the substrate from the liquid crystal discharge pump140. The second connecting tube 160 may be formed of an opaque materialor a transparent material. When the liquid crystal material 107 containsvapor while being dispensed, dispensing amounts of the liquid crystalmaterial 107 can not be precisely controlled and thus vapor should beremoved from the liquid crystal material 107. A vapor-removing devicecan be used to remove the vapor in the liquid crystal material 107, butit is difficult to completely remove it. Therefore, it is beneficial tostop the operation of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus and removethe vapor as soon as it is determined that the vapor is present toprevent inferiority of the LCD panel. Accordingly, the second connectingtube 160 may be formed of a transparent material to allow the operatorto visually determine the presence of vapor contained within the liquidcrystal material 107. The vapor may be detected with the naked eye or afirst sensor 162 (e.g., a photo coupler, or the like) arranged at bothsides of the second connecting tube 160.

A protection unit 152 is arranged at both sides of the nozzle 150 intowhich the discharged liquid crystal material is introduced via thesecond connecting tube 160 and protects the nozzle 150 from externalimpacts, etc. Further, a second sensor 154 is arranged at the protectionunit 152 of the nozzle 150 to detect the presence of vapor within theliquid crystal material dispensed from the nozzle 150 or to detect thepresence of the liquid crystal material accumulated on the surface ofthe nozzle 150.

The actual amount of the liquid crystal material dispensed may deviatefrom the predetermined amount when the liquid crystal material isaccumulated on the surface of the nozzle 150. When the liquid crystalmaterial is accumulated on the nozzle 150, the actual amount of theliquid crystal material dispensed onto the substrate in the form ofdroplets is less than the predetermined amount. Moreover, portions ofthe liquid crystal material accumulated on the surface of the nozzle 150may be dispensed onto the substrate, resulting in a defective LCD panel.Therefore, a material forming a large contact angle with the liquidcrystal material, namely, a hydrophobic material such as a fluorineresin or the like may be deposited on the substrate of the nozzle 150 byany suitable method (e.g., dipping, spraying, or the like) to preventthe accumulation of the liquid crystal material on the surface of thenozzle 150. By providing the nozzle 150 with a material like a fluorineresin, the liquid crystal material does not spread over the surface ofthe nozzle 150, but is dispensed onto the substrate through the nozzle150 in the form of a perfect droplet.

The liquid crystal discharge pump 140 is inserted into a rotating member157. The rotating member 157 is fixed to a fixing unit 155 and connectedto a first motor 131. As the first motor 131 is driven, the rotatingmember 157 rotates and the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 fixed tothe rotating member 157 operates.

The liquid crystal discharge pump 140 is in contact with one side of abar-shaped liquid crystal capacity amount controlling member 134. A holeis formed at the other side of the liquid crystal capacity amountcontrolling member 134 and a rotational shaft 136 is inserted into thehole. A screw at a periphery of the hole is used to couple the liquidcrystal capacity amount controlling member 134 to the rotational shaft136. Also, one end of the rotational shaft 136 is connected to a secondmotor 133 and the other end is connected to a control lever 137.

An amount of the liquid crystal material dispensed from the liquidcrystal discharge pump 140 varies according to a fixation angle of theliquid crystal discharge pump 140 to the rotating member 157 (i.e., theangle at which a portion of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 isfixed to the rotating member 157). When the second motor 133 connectedto the rotational shaft 136 is driven (automatically controlled) or thecontrol lever 137 is manually controlled, the rotational shaft 136 isrotated. Upon rotating the rotational shaft 136, one end of the liquidcrystal capacity amount controlling member 134 screw-coupled to therotational shaft 136 moves back and forth along the linear direction ofthe rotational shaft 136. Accordingly, as one end of the liquid crystalcapacity amount controlling member 134 moves, a force applied to theliquid crystal discharge pump 140 and the fixation angle of the liquidcrystal discharge pump 140 are changed.

Accordingly, the first motor 131 causes the liquid crystal dischargepump 140 to dispense the liquid crystal material from the liquid crystalmaterial container 122 onto the substrate, and the second motor 133controls the fixation angle and thus an amount of the liquid crystalmaterial dispensed from the liquid crystal discharge pump 140.

An amount of a single droplet of the liquid crystal material dispensedis very minute, and thus a variation amount of the liquid crystaldischarge pump 140 controlled by the second motor 133 is also veryminute. Therefore, an inclination angle (i.e., the fixation angle) ofthe liquid crystal discharge pump 140 has to be controlled veryprecisely to control the discharge amount of the liquid crystaldischarge pump 140. To effect such a precise control in the fixationangle, a step motor operated by a pulse input value may be used as thesecond motor 133.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus. FIG. 9B is an explodedperspective view of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the liquid crystal discharge pump 140includes: a case 141 wherein the case 141 includes the liquid crystalsuction and discharge openings 147 and 148; a cap 144 coupled to thecase 141, wherein an upper portion of the cap 144 includes an opening; acylinder 142 inserted into the case 141 for conveying the liquid crystalmaterial intaken from the liquid crystal container 123; a sealing device143 for sealing the cylinder 142; an o-ring 144 a arranged at a upperportion of the cap 144 for preventing the liquid crystal material fromleaking outside the liquid crystal discharge pump 140; and a piston 145inserted into the cylinder 142 through the opening of the cap 144, thepiston 145 rotating and moving upwardly and downwardly within thecylinder 142 for intaking and discharging the liquid crystal materialthrough the liquid crystal suction and discharge openings 147 and 148,respectively.

A head 146 a is arranged at a upper portion of the piston 145 and fixedto the rotating member 157 (FIG. 8), and a bar 146 b is arranged at thehead 146 a and inserted and fixed to a hole (not shown) of the rotatingmember 157. Accordingly, the piston 145 may rotate when the rotatingmember 157 is rotated by the first motor 131. A groove 145 a is formedat an end portion of the piston 145. The groove 145 a occupies no morethan about 25% of a cross-sectional area of the piston 145. The groove145 a may open and close the liquid crystal suction openings 147 and 148when the piston 145 is rotated to intake and discharge the liquidcrystal material to the liquid crystal discharge opening 148 through theliquid crystal suction opening 147.

An operation of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a view illustrating theliquid crystal discharge pump 140 fixed to the rotating member 157.

Referring to FIG. 10, the piston 145 of the liquid crystal dischargepump 140 is fixed to the rotating member 157 at a predetermined angle, α(i.e., the fixation angle). The bar 146 b formed at the piston head 146a is inserted into a hole 159 formed within the rotating member 157 tocouple the piston 146 to the rotating member 157. A bearing (not shown)is provided within the hole 159 to allow the bar 146 b of the piston 145to move back and forth and in right and left directions with respect tothe hole 159. When the first motor 131 is driven, the rotating member157 rotates and thus the piston 145 coupled (i.e., fixed) to therotating member 157 rotates.

If the fixation angle (α) of the liquid crystal discharge pump withrespect to the rotating member 157, the fixation angle (α) of the piston145 with respect to the rotating member 157, is 0°, the piston 145performs only a rotational motion along the rotating member 157.However, because the fixation angle (α) of the piston 145 with respectto the rotating member 157 is substantially not 0° (i.e., because thepiston is fixed at a certain angle), the piston 145 not only rotatesalong the rotating member 157 but also moves vertically.

When the piston 145 moves upwardly by rotating with a certain angle, aspace is formed inside the cylinder 142 and the liquid crystal materialis intaken to the space through the liquid crystal suction opening 147.Then, when the piston 145 moves downwardly by rotating more, the liquidcrystal material in the cylinder 142 is discharged through the liquidcrystal discharge opening 148. The groove 145 a formed at the piston 145opens and closes the liquid crystal suction and discharge openings 147and 148 by the rotation of the piston 145.

The operation of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 will now bedescribed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 11A to 11D. In FIGS. 11Ato 11D, a liquid crystal material contained within the liquid crystalmaterial container 122 is discharged to the nozzle 150 through fourstrokes of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140. FIGS. 11A and 11Cillustrate cross strokes; FIG. 11B illustrates a suction stroke at theliquid crystal suction opening 147; and FIG. 11D illustrates a dischargestroke at the liquid crystal discharge opening 148.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the piston 145 fixed to the rotating member 157at a certain fixation angle (α), rotates in accordance with the rotationof the rotating member 157. In the cross stroke illustrated in FIG. 11A,the piston 145 closes both the liquid crystal suction opening 147 andthe liquid crystal discharge opening 148.

When the rotating member 157 rotates by approximately 45°, the piston145 rotates within the cylinder 142 to arrange the groove 145 a to openthe liquid crystal suction opening 147 (i.e., to be in fluidcommunication with the liquid crystal suction opening 147) asillustrated in FIG. 11B. The bar 146 b of the piston 145 is insertedinto the hole 159 of the rotating member 157 to couple the rotatingmember 157 to the piston 145. Accordingly, the piston 145 rotatesaccording to the rotation of the rotating member 157 while the bar 146 brotates along a rotation plane.

Because the piston 145 is fixed to the rotating member 157 at apredetermined fixation angle and the bar 146 b rotates along therotation plane, the piston 145 moves upwardly according to the rotationof the rotating member 157, leaving a space in the fixed cylinder 142thereunder. Thus, the liquid crystal material is intaken to the space ofthe cylinder 142 through the liquid crystal suction opening 147 openedby the groove 145 a.

After the suction stroke is started (i.e., after the liquid crystalsuction opening 147 is opened), the suction of the liquid crystalmaterial continues until the cross stroke illustrated in FIG. 11C starts(i.e., until the liquid crystal suction opening 147 is closed) as therotating member 157 further rotates by approximately 45°.

Referring to FIG. 11D, as the rotating member 157 further rotates, thepiston 145 moves downwardly and rotates within the cylinder 142 toarrange the groove to open the liquid crystal discharge opening 148(i.e., to be in fluid communication with the liquid crystal dischargeopening 148). As the groove 145 a opens the liquid crystal dischargeopening 148, the liquid crystal material is discharged from the cylinder142 and groove 145 a through the liquid crystal discharge opening 148(discharge stroke).

As described above, the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 repeats fourconsecutive strokes (i.e., the first cross stroke, the suction stroke,the second cross stroke, and the discharge stroke), to discharge theliquid crystal material contained in the liquid crystal materialcontainer 122 to the nozzle 150. An amount of the liquid crystalmaterial discharged from the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 may varyaccording to the degree to which the piston 145 moves upwardly anddownwardly. The degree to which the piston 145 moves is regulated by thefixation angle at which the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 is fixedto the rotating member 157.

FIG. 12 a schematic view illustrating the liquid crystal discharge pumpfixed to the rotating member at a predetermined angle β.

The liquid crystal discharge pump 140 in FIG. 10 is fixed to therotating member 157 at a fixation angle α. However, the liquid crystaldischarge pump 140 in FIG. 12 is fixed to the rotating member 157 at afixation angle of β, wherein β>α. Accordingly, the degree of an ascentof the piston 145 with respect to the rotating member 157 illustrated inFIG. 12 is greater than the degree of an ascent of the piston 145illustrated in FIG. 10. As the fixation angle increases, the degree towhich the piston moves upwardly increases and an amount of the liquidcrystal material intaken to the cylinder 142 also increases. This meansthat an amount of the liquid crystal material discharged from the liquidcrystal discharge pump 140 can also be controlled by the fixation angle.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the fixation angle is controlled by the liquidcrystal capacity amount controlling member 134. The liquid crystalcapacity controlling member 134 is moved by driving the second motor133. Therefore, the fixation angle of the liquid crystal discharge pump140 can be controlled by controlling the second motor 133.

Alternatively, the fixation angle can be manually controlled byadjusting an angle control lever 137. However, in this case, a preciseadjustment is difficult, it takes a long time to perform the adjustingprocess, and the operation of the liquid crystal discharge pump must beinterrupted for the adjusting process. Accordingly, it is beneficialthat the fixation angle of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 iscontrolled by the second motor 133.

The fixation angle of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 is measuredby a sensor 139 such as a linear variable differential transformer. Whenthe fixation angle exceeds a predetermined angle, the sensor 139, forexample, turns on an alarm to prevent the liquid crystal discharge pump140 from being damaged.

As described above, the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus 120 havingthe liquid crystal discharge pump 140 applies a liquid crystal materialonto at least one unit panel formed on one of the substrates. Ingeneral, a plurality of unit panels are formed on the substrate. Thus, aplurality of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses 120 are used todispense a liquid crystal material onto the substrate, thereby improvingthe fabrication efficiency.

FIG. 13 a schematic view illustrating a liquid crystal dispensing system110 having a plurality of liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses 120.

Referring to FIG. 13, a liquid crystal dispensing system 110 includes astage 114 positioned at a frame 112 and a guide bar 115 installed overthe stage 114. A liquid crystal material will be dispensed on asubstrate laid on the stage 114. The plurality of liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses 120 are installed at the guide bar 115. Althoughthe liquid crystal dispensing system 110 only includes three liquidcrystal dispensing apparatuses 120, it should be appreciated that thenumber of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses 120 at the guide bar115 is not limited thereto. That is, the number of the liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses 120 provided at the guide bar 115 may vary, forexample, according to the number of the unit panels.

A motor mounted within the guide bar 115 moves the guide bar 115 in ay-direction over the stage 114 along a guide rail 160 formed on thestage 114. As the guide bar is moved, the plurality of liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses 120 are also moved in the y-direction. A linearmotor can be used as the motor mounted within the guide bar 115. Also,each of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses 120 installed at theguide bar 115 includes a motor (e.g., a linear motor) and thus it can bemoved in a x-direction along the guide bar 115.

Instead of moving the guide bar 115, the stage 114 can be moved in the xand y directions by a driving unit (not shown) (e.g., a motor, or thelike) with respect to the guide bar. In such a case, the substrate laidon the stage 114 may be displaced from its original position. Thus,suction holes 168 connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) may be formedat the stage 114 to fix the substrate to the stage 114. Although notshown in the drawings, the substrate can be fixed to the stage 114 by anelectrostatic suction using static electricity or vacuum andelectrostatic suction using vacuum and static electricity.

One side of the frame 112 is provided with at least one weightmeasurement scale 164 for measuring an amount of the liquid crystalmaterial to be dispensed onto the substrate. After dispensing a liquidcrystal material onto the set number of substrates, the liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses 120 are moved to the weight measurement scale 164and dispense the liquid crystal material into a measuring container 165installed on the weight measurement scale 164 to measure the dispensingamounts thereof. An electronic scale can be used as the weightmeasurement scale 164 to accurately measure an amount of the liquidcrystal material dispensed in the measuring container 165. Also, becausean amount of a single droplet of the liquid crystal material is veryminute, the weight measurement scale 164 measures a total amount of theliquid crystal material after dispensing a set number droplets (e.g., 50or 100) in the measuring container 165. An amount of a single droplet ofthe liquid crystal material may be obtained by dividing a weight of thetotal amount measured by the weight measurement scale 40 by the numberof times being dispensed. Also, an actual amount of a single droplet ofthe liquid crystal material can be obtained by converting the weight ofa single droplet of the liquid crystal material into a value of volume.

Such operations of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses 120 arecontrolled by a controller. The controller calculates dispensing amountsand dispensing positions, and thereafter controls the liquid crystaldispensing system 110 having the liquid crystal dispensing apparatuses120 to dispense the liquid crystal material onto the substrate.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a controller of aliquid crystal dispensing system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the controller 200 may include: an abnormaldispensing detecting unit 260 for detecting an abnormal dispensingcaused by an external impact such as an earthquake; a dispensing amountsetting unit 210 for setting a dispensing amount of a liquid crystalmaterial based on various information in the absence of an abnormaldispensing; a dispensing amount compensating unit 220 for compensatingthe dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material by controlling thesecond motor 133 to adjusting a fixation angle of the liquid crystaldischarge pump 140 when the dispensing amount of liquid crystal materialset by the dispensing amount setting unit 210 is different from anactual amount of the liquid crystal material dispensed onto thesubstrate (or a unit panel); a motor driving unit 230 for dischargingthe liquid crystal material as much as the dispensing amount set by thedispensing amount setting unit 210 through the liquid crystal dischargepump 140 by controlling the first and second motors 131 and 133; asubstrate driving unit 240 for aligning the substrate to the dispensingpositions of the nozzles 150; and an output unit 250 for outputtingvarious information such as the sizes of the substrate and unit panel, aset dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material, a currentdispensing amount, dispensing positions, and the like, and for informinga user of an abnormal dispensing.

The output unit 250 may include a display such as a Cathode Ray Tube(CRT), an LCD device or a printer to provide the user with variousinformation with respect to the dispensing and inform the user of anabnormal dispensing using an alarm or the like.

The dispensing amount setting unit 210 sets an amount of the liquidcrystal material to be dispensed onto the substrate (or unit panel). Theuser can input a set amount previously calculated by manually drivingthe dispensing amount setting unit 210, but it is beneficial toautomatically set a dispensing amount of the liquid crystal materialbased on various data for more accurate control. The dispensing amountof the liquid crystal material may be calculated using variousinformation such as an area of the unit panel, a display mode of theunit panel such as Twisted Nematic (TN) mode or In Plane Switching (IPS)mode, an alignment direction formed at the alignment layer, a viscosityof the liquid crystal material, and the like. When the set dispensingamount is different from an actual amount of the liquid crystal materialdispensed onto the substrate, the dispensing amount compensating unit210 compensates the dispensing amount to prevent a fabrication of adefective LCD device.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an abnormaldispensing detecting unit of a liquid crystal dispensing systemaccording to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, the abnormal dispensing detecting unit 260 mayinclude a signal analyzing unit 262 for analyzing a signal inputted fromthe weight measurement scale 164, and an abnormal state detecting unit264 for detecting an abnormal dispensing based on the analyzed resultfrom the signal analyzing unit 262.

As described above, the weight measurement scale 164 is an electronicscale which has a load cell for outputting an electronic signalaccording to a variation of weight. Therefore, as the liquid crystalmaterial is dispensed into the measuring container 165, a signal with anamplitude corresponding to its weight is outputted. The liquid crystalmaterial dispensed into the measuring container 165 is dispensed (ordropped) from a certain height through the liquid crystal dispensingapparatus 120. As soon as the liquid crystal material contacts themeasuring container 165, an impact is applied onto the weightmeasurement scale 164 to cause the weight measurement scale 164 tovibrate. Initial dispensing of the liquid crystal material may generatethe greatest oscillation, and then the oscillation may decrease as timegoes by. Accordingly, the signal outputted from the weight measurementscale 164 may have a sinusoidal shape. The signal has the greatestamplitude at the initial dispensing of the liquid crystal material, andits amplitude decreases as time elapses and arrives at the amplitudecorresponding to the weight of the dispensed liquid crystal material.

The signal analyzing unit 262 analyzes the signal inputted from theweight measurement scale 164. That is, the signal analyzing unit 262analyzes when the signal is inputted, an amplitude of the signal, aduration of the oscillation of the signal, and the like, and thereafteroutputs the analyzed data to the abnormal state detecting unit 264.

An external impact such as an earthquake influences on the weightmeasurement scale 164. In other words, when an earthquake occurs, theweight measurement scale 164 vibrates and outputs a sinusoidal signal ofwhich amplitude decreases as time elapses.

While the liquid crystal material is dispensed onto the substrate fromthe liquid crystal dispensing apparatus 120, that is, when the liquidcrystal material is not dispensed into the measuring container 165 ofthe weight measurement scale 164, no signal should be outputted from theweight measurement scale 164. However, when there is an external impactsuch as an earthquake, the weight measurement scale 164 vibrates andoutputs a signal. When the weight measurement scale 164 outputs a signalexcept the duration for measuring the dispensing amount, the abnormalstate detecting unit 264 determines that an abnormal dispensing has beengenerated due to an external impact such as an earthquake, or the like.As a result, the abnormal state detecting unit 264 outputs a signal tothe motor driving unit 230 and the substrate driving unit 240 to pausethe dispensing of the liquid crystal material, and outputs a signal tothe output unit 250 to thereby inform a user of the abnormal dispensing.

When the liquid crystal material is dispensed onto the measuringcontainer 165 of the weight measurement scale 164, the abnormal statedetecting unit 264 compares the signal data inputted from the signalanalyzing unit 262 with set values. The abnormal state detecting unit264 stores information on amplitudes and durations of the signalsoutputted from the weight measurement scale 164 when the liquid crystalmaterial is dispensed onto the measuring container 165 for ameasurement. Thus, when the signal inputted from the weight measurementscale 164 exceeds the stored amplitudes and durations, the abnormalstate detecting unit 264 determines that the oscillation of the signalis not caused by dispensing the liquid crystal material but caused by anexternal impact such as an earthquake.

In general, because the dispensing amount of liquid crystal material isminute, a deviation of the dispensing amount is also minute.Accordingly, the amplitudes or durations of the signals outputted by thedispensing of the liquid crystal material may be relatively narrower orshorter than the amplitude or duration of the signal outputted by anexternal force (impact) such as an earthquake. Therefore, when thesignal analyzed by the signal analyzing unit 262 is greater than a setvalue, the abnormal state detecting unit 264 determines that theoscillation is caused by an external impact such as an earthquake, notby the dispensing of the liquid crystal material and outputs a signal tothe motor driving unit 230 and the substrate driving unit 240 to stopthe dispensing of the liquid crystal material.

Thus, in the liquid crystal dispensing system according to the presentinvention, when an external impact such as an earthquake or the like isapplied, such information is notified to a user and a signal issimultaneously outputted to the motor driving unit 230 and the substratedriving unit 240 to thus pause the operation of the liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses 120.

The abnormal dispensing detecting unit 260 continues to analyze thesignal inputted from the weight measurement scale 164 even when theoperation of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus 120 is paused. Whena oscillation of the inputted signal is smaller than a set range, theabnormal dispensing detecting unit 260 determines that the externalimpact no longer affects the dispensing process and thus outputs asignal to the motor driving unit 230 and the substrate driving unit 240to restart the dispensing of the liquid crystal material.

As described above, when an impact occurs from the exterior (e.g., whenan earthquake occurs), the dispensing of the liquid crystal material ispaused according to the present invention. As a result, a defect of anLCD panel generated when the dispensing amount of the liquid crystalmaterial can not be accurately measured due to such an external impactcan be prevented. A defect of an LCD panel generated by an inaccuratedispensing position caused by the oscillation of the liquid crystaldispensing apparatus due to such an external impact can also beprevented. Moreover, when the external impact no longer affects thedispensing of the liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal dispensingsystem restarts the dispensing of the liquid crystal to prevent pausingof the processing line for a long time.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, a control room for controlling an entirefabrication processing line of LCD devices can directly input a signalinto the abnormal state detecting unit 264 for informing of anoccurrence of such an earthquake. The control room has a measuringdevice (not shown) for detecting the occurrence of an earthquake to thusdirectly input a signal (i.e., a oscillation signal) measured by themeasuring device into the abnormal state detecting unit 264. Even insuch a case, the abnormal state detecting unit 264 compares the inputtedsignal with a set signal (i.e., a new signal stored in the abnormaldispensing detecting unit 260 for comparison with a oscillation signalinputted from the earthquake measuring device, not the stored signal forcomparison with a oscillation signal inputted from the weightmeasurement scale 164), and determines whether to pause or restart theoperation of the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus 120.

In the liquid crystal dispensing system according to the presentinvention, the dispensing of liquid crystal material is paused orrestarted by determining the existence of an external impact using thesignal inputted from the weight measurement scale 164 and the signaldirectly inputted from the control room. However, according to thepresent invention, various modifications and alterations can occurwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, anexternal impact may be determined according to either the signalinputted from the weight measurement scale 164 or the signal directlyinputted from the control room.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a dispensingamount compensating unit of a liquid crystal dispensing system accordingto the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 16, a weight measured by the weight measurement scale164 is inputted in the dispensing amount compensating unit 220. Adensity of the liquid crystal material being dispensed is stored in adispensing amount calculating unit 222, and thus the current dispensingamount of the liquid crystal material can be calculated based on themeasured weight. The actual dispensing amount of the liquid crystalmaterial calculated in the dispensing amount calculating unit 222 isinputted into a difference value calculating unit 224. The differencevalue calculating unit 224 calculates a difference between the inputtedactual dispensing amount and a dispensing amount set by the dispensingsetting unit 221 and thereafter inputs the difference into a comparingunit 228.

A dispensing amount limit value set by a dispensing amount limit valuesetting unit 226 is inputted into the comparing unit 228. The dispensingamount limit value is a value between the set value of the liquidcrystal material to be dispensed and the measured value of the liquidcrystal material actually measured. A single or plural dispensing amountlimit values can be set. When a single dispensing amount limit value isused, it can refer to a permitted value of an amount of the liquidcrystal material to be dispensed onto the unit panel. That is, when thedispensing of the liquid crystal material is performed with a deviationwithin the limit value, a defective LCD device may not be fabricated.When two or more dispensing amount limit values are used, each value maybe used for a different object. For instance, when two dispensing amountlimit values are used, the first limit value defines a permitted valueof an amount of the liquid crystal material and the second limit valuedefines a threshold value of an amount of the liquid crystal materialthat can causes a defect in the dispensing process.

In other words, when the comparing unit 228 determines that thedifference between the actual dispensing amount of the liquid crystalmaterial and the set dispensing amount is within the first limit value,a defective LCD device may not be fabricated in the dispensing processand the dispensing process continues. When the difference exceeds thefirst limit value and is within the second limit value, the motordriving unit 230 outputs a driving signal corresponding to a differencevalue between the difference between the set dispensing amount and theactually measured dispensing value (“dispensing amount compensatedvalue”) and the first limit value and thus compensates the dispensingamount of the liquid crystal material to allow the difference to bewithin the first limit value. However, when the difference exceeds thesecond limit value, the liquid crystal dispensing system recognizes itas an abnormal dispensing, pauses the dispensing of the liquid crystalmaterial, and informs the user of the occurrence of the abnormaldispensing by outputting, for example, an alarm using the output unit250.

The first and second limit values may be determined according to aviscosity of liquid crystal material, a size of unit panel and adispensing pattern. The measured value is inputted into the dispensingamount calculating unit 222 in real time from the weight measurementscale 164, and the compensation of the dispensing amount is performed inreal time based on the inputted information. Therefore, the dispensingamount of the liquid crystal material can be compensated in a shorttime, thereby preventing a fabrication of a defective LCD device.

The dispensing amount calculating unit 222 can calculate an amount of asingle droplet of the liquid crystal material or a dispensing amount ofthe liquid crystal material corresponding to one unit panel or onesubstrate. An amount of a single droplet of the liquid crystal materialis a very small amount (e.g., several milligrams). Thus, it is difficultto calculate an amount of a single droplet of the liquid crystalmaterial by measuring the weight of a single droplet. Therefore, 50 or100 droplets are dispensed into the measuring container 164, and thecombined weight is measured. The measured weight value is divided by thenumber of the droplets dispensed to measure a weight of an amount of asingle droplet. The measured weight of an amount of a single droplet isthen converted into a value of volume to thus measure an actual amountof a single droplet of the liquid crystal material. Also, an actualamount of the liquid crystal material dispensed onto one substrate orone unit panel can be calculated based on, for example, a dispensingpattern (e.g., the number of times being dispensed).

Such a measurement can be performed after the liquid crystal material iscompletely dispensed onto one unit panel or one substrate, but it may bebeneficial to perform such a measurement after the liquid crystalmaterial is completely dispensed onto the set number of unit panels orsubstrates.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a motor drivingunit of a liquid crystal dispensing system according to the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 17, the motor driving unit 230 may include: a pulsevalue storing unit 234 for storing pulse value information with respectto the dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material to drive thefirst and second motors 131 and 133; a pulse value converting unit 232for converting the dispensing amount set value inputted from thedispensing amount setting unit 210 and the dispensing amount compensatedvalue inputted from the dispensing amount compensating unit 220 intopulse values based on the pulse value information stored in the pulsevalue storing unit 234; a first motor driving unit 236 for outputting adriving signal to drive the first motor 131 in response to an input ofthe dispensing amount set value; and a second motor driving unit 238 foroutputting a driving signal to drive the second motor 133 and thuschange a fixation angle of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 inresponse to an input of the pulse value converted by the pulse valueconverting unit 232.

The pulse value storing unit 234 stores rotating angle information ofthe second motor 133 with respect to a number of pulse values.Accordingly, as a pulse value is inputted, the second motor 133 rotatesby a corresponding angle, and simultaneously a liquid crystal capacityamount controlling member 134 inserted into the rotational shaft 136linearly moves. As a result, the fixation angle between the liquidcrystal discharge pump 140 and the fixing unit 149 is changed inresponse to the movement of the liquid crystal capacity amountcontrolling member 134, thereby changing an amount of the liquid crystalmaterial discharged from the liquid crystal discharge pump 140.

As described above, the second motor 133 is a step motor and rotatesonce in response to, for example, an input of about 1000 pulses. Thatis, the second motor 133 rotates by about 0.36° in response to onepulse. Thus, the rotating angle of the second motor 133 can be minutelycontrolled using the pulse, and thus a minute adjustment of a dispensingamount of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140 is possible.

A method for dispensing a liquid crystal material onto a substrate usinga liquid crystal dispensing system according to the present inventionwill now be explained in more detail. FIG. 18 is a flowchartillustrating a liquid crystal dispensing method using a liquid crystaldispensing system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, first, the substrate 105 on which a plurality ofunit panels are formed is loaded on the stage 114 of the liquid crystaldispensing system by a loading device such as a robot arm (S301). Whenthe substrate 105 is loaded on the stage 114, the guide bar 115 moves ina y-direction to be located at a stand-by position at a peripheryregion. The large substrate 105 is loaded on the stage 114 when theguide bar 115 is located at the stand-by position. The loaded substrate105 is fixed to the stage 114 through the suction holes 168 by avacuum-suction method (or electrostatic suction or vacuumsuction/electrostatic suction method).

Then, the guide bar 115 having a plurality of liquid crystal dispensingapparatuses 120 moves toward the measuring container 165 along ay-direction to dispense the liquid crystal material onto the measuringcontainer 165 for a set number of times. Then, the liquid crystaldispensing system detects whether there is an abnormal dispensing causedby an external impact such as an earthquake or the like andsimultaneously measures an actual dispensing amount of the liquidcrystal material (S302 and S303).

An abnormal dispensing of the liquid crystal material is detected by asignal inputted from the weight measurement scale 164. A method fordetecting an abnormal dispensing of the liquid crystal material isillustrated in FIG. 19.

Referring to FIG. 19, when a liquid crystal material is dispensed ontothe measuring container 165 and thus a signal is inputted from theweight measurement scale 164, the abnormal dispensing detecting unit 260compares an amplitude of the inputted signal with that of a set value(S401 and S402). The set value is an amplitude of a limited oscillationvalue when dispensing the liquid crystal material onto the measuringcontainer 165. If the amplitude of the inputted signal is greater thanthe set value, the inputted signal is determined to be caused by anexternal impact such as an earthquake, not by dispensing the liquidcrystal material, and accordingly the operation of the liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses is paused (S405). If the amplitude of theinputted signal is smaller than the set value, the signal is determinedto be caused by the dispensing of the liquid crystal material (i.e., itis determined that there is no abnormal dispensing).

Sometimes, the amplitude of the signal alone may not be sufficient todetermine that an external impact such as an earthquake has beenapplied. A oscillation caused by the dispensing of the liquid crystalmaterial onto the measuring container 165 has a very short duration,while a oscillation caused by an external impact such as an earthquakemay have a long duration. Thus, when there is no abnormality in theamplitude of the inputted signal, the duration of the oscillation iscompared to a set value (i.e., a limited socillation set value). If theduration of the oscillation of the inputted signal is longer than theset value, the oscillation is determined to be caused by an externalimpact such as an earthquake, not by the dispensing of the liquidcrystal material 1, and thus the operation of the liquid crystaldispensing apparatuses (S405) is stopped. If the duration of theoscillation of the inputted signal is shorter than the set value, it isdetermined to be a signal by the dispensing of the liquid crystalmaterial, and the liquid crystal dispensing system continues dispendingthe liquid crystal material onto the substrate.

Such processes are continuously and repeatedly performed. In otherwords, even after the dispensing process is paused due to thedetermination that the oscillation of the measuring container 165 iscaused by an external impact, the dispensing process continues when itis determined that the external impact no longer affects the dispensingprocess. Accordingly, when a normal signal is inputted from the weightmeasurement scale 164, the dispensing process is restarted.

An abnormal dispensing of the liquid crystal material may be detected bya signal directly inputted from a control room, not by the signalinputted from the weight measurement scale 164. That is, an abnormaldispensing may be detected in response to an input signal from ameasuring device provided in the control room. In this case, theabnormal dispensing is detected in response to the input signal, andsimultaneously (as soon as determining an earthquake) the dispensing ofthe liquid crystal material is paused. Also, the dispensing of theliquid crystal material is restarted as soon as there is an input signalinforming that the earthquake is stopped.

When it is determined that there is no abnormality in the dispensing ofthe liquid crystal material, the current dispensing amount of the liquidcrystal material is measured based on the weight of the liquid crystalmaterial inputted from the weight measurement scale 164 (S305), asillustrated in FIG. 18. This measured dispensing amount of the liquidcrystal material is compared to the set dispensing amount of the liquidcrystal material (S306). If the difference is within a permitteddeviation, the current dispensing amount is maintained to continue thedispensing of the liquid crystal material (S308). If the differenceexceeds the permitted deviation, the second motor 133 is driven toadjust the angle of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140, that is, acapacity amount of the liquid crystal discharge pump 140, and thus theamount of the liquid crystal material dispensed onto the substrate iscontrolled to dispense a compensated amount of the liquid crystalmaterial (S307 and S308).

As described above, in the present invention, a signal inputted from theweight measurement scale for measuring the dispensing amount of theliquid crystal material is used to detect whether an external impactsuch as an earthquake is applied and thus pause the dispensing process.Therefore, it is effective to minimize or prevent a defect of an LCDpanel caused by an inaccurate dispensing process due to an externalimpact, and also effective to minimize pausing of the processing line bydetecting the termination of the external impact in a short time andrestarting the dispensing process.

In above description, although the above dispenser is used to dispensethe liquid crystal material, this dispenser is not limited this usage.That is, the dispenser of this invention may be used various dispensingdevice, such as a seal dispenser.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variation can be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A liquid crystal dispensing system comprising: a liquid crystaldispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid crystal material onto asubstrate; a detecting unit for detecting a dispensing state of theliquid crystal material, the detecting unit including an oscillationmeasuring device of a weight measurement scale for measuring adispensing amount of the liquid crystal material; and a controller forcontrolling the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus to pause dispensingof the liquid crystal material when the abnormal dispensing is detected,wherein the oscillation measuring device measures an oscillation signaland the controller compares the measured oscillation signal with the setoscillation value to detect the abnormal dispensing.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the liquid crystal dispensing apparatus includes: acontainer containing the liquid crystal material therein; a liquidcrystal discharge pump for intaking and discharging the liquid crystalmaterial contained in the container; and a nozzle for dispensing theliquid crystal material discharged from the liquid crystal dischargepump onto the substrate.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the liquidcrystal discharge pump includes: a cylinder; a piston inserted into thecylinder and having a groove at a lower portion, for rotating and movingupwardly and downwardly and thus intaking and discharging the liquidcrystal material; and a suction opening and a discharge opening fortaking and discharging liquid crystal material according to the movementof the piston.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the abnormal dispensingis caused by an external impact.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theweight measurement scale is an electronic scale for outputting a signalin response to an applying of impact.
 6. The system of claim 4, whereinthe oscillation measuring device includes earthquake measuring device.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller includes: an abnormaldispensing detecting unit for detecting an abnormal dispensing inresponse to the oscillation signal inputted from the detecting unit; adispensing amount setting unit for setting an amount of the liquidcrystal material to be dispensed onto the substrate; a dispensing amountcompensating unit for compensating a difference between the dispensingamount of the liquid crystal material set by the dispensing amountsetting unit and an actual dispensing amount of the liquid crystalmaterial dispensed onto the substrate; a motor driving unit for drivinga motor to operate the liquid crystal discharge pump; and a substratedriving unit for aligning a substrate to the dispensing position of thenozzle.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the abnormal dispensingdetecting unit includes: a signal analyzing unit for analyzing theoscillation signal inputted from the detecting unit; and an abnormalstate detecting unit for comparing the oscillation signal inputted fromthe signal analyzing unit with the set oscillation value and thusdetecting an abnormal dispensing.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thedispensing of liquid crystal material is paused when an amplitude of theinputted oscillation signal is greater than a set oscillation value. 10.The system of claim 8, wherein the dispensing of liquid crystal materialis paused when a oscillation duration of the inputted oscillation signalis greater than a set oscillation value.
 11. The system of claim 7,wherein the dispensing amount compensating unit includes: a dispensingamount calculating unit for calculating a current dispensing amount ofthe liquid crystal material based on the dispensing amount measured bythe dispensing amount measuring unit; a difference value calculatingunit for calculating a difference between the dispensing amount of theliquid crystal material calculated by the dispensing amount calculatingunit and a set dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material; adispensing amount limit value setting unit for setting a limit value ofthe difference between each dispensing amount; and a comparing unit forcomparing the difference between each dispensing amount and the limitvalue inputted from the difference value calculating unit and thedispensing amount limit value setting unit, respectively, to thus outputa signal to the motor driving unit.
 12. The system of claim 7, whereinthe motor driving unit includes: a pulse value storing unit for storingpulse value information with respect to the dispensing amount of theliquid crystal material; and a pulse value converting unit forconverting the dispensing amount set value and the dispensing amountcompensated value inputted from the dispensing amount compensating unitinto pulse values based on the pulse value information stored in thepulse value storing unit, and thus outputting the converted pulse valueto the motor.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the controllerincludes: an abnormal dispensing detecting unit for detecting anabnormal dispensing by the oscillation signal inputted from thedetecting unit; a motor driving unit for driving a motor to operate theliquid crystal discharge pump, and stopping the driving of motor when anabnormal dispensing is detected by the abnormal dispensing detectingunit; and a substrate driving unit for aligning the substrate to thedispensing position of the nozzle.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe abnormal dispensing detecting unit includes: a signal analyzing unitfor analyzing the oscillation signal inputted from the detecting unit;and an abnormal state detecting unit for comparing the oscillationsignal inputted from the signal analyzing unit with a set oscillationvalue and thus detecting the abnormal dispensing.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the dispensing of liquid crystal material is pausedwhen an amplitude of the inputted oscillation signal is greater than aset oscillation value.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherein thedispensing of liquid crystal material is paused when a oscillationduration of the inputted oscillation signal is greater than a setoscillation value.
 17. A liquid crystal dispensing method comprising:measuring an oscillation of a weight measurement scale to output anoscillation signal; comparing the oscillation signal with a setoscillation value to detect the abnormal dispensing of the liquidcrystal material; arranging a liquid crystal dispensing apparatus of theliquid crystal dispensing system over a dispensing position; anddispensing the liquid crystal material at the dispensing position. 18.The method of claim 17, further comprising pausing the dispensing of theliquid crystal material when the abnormal dispensing is detected. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein the comparing of the oscillation signalwith the set oscillation value includes comparing an amplitude of theoscillation signal with a set oscillation amplitude.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the dispensing of the liquid crystal material ispaused when the amplitude of the oscillation signal is greater than theset oscillation amplitude.
 21. The method of claim 17, wherein thecomparing of the oscillation signal with the set oscillation valueincludes comparing a oscillation duration of the oscillation signal witha set oscillation duration.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein thedispensing of the liquid crystal material is paused when the oscillationduration of the oscillation signal is greater than the set oscillationduration.
 23. The method of claim 18, further comprising restarting thedispensing of the liquid crystal material when the abnormal dispensingis removed.
 24. The method of claim 17, wherein the dispensing of theliquid crystal material includes: measuring the dispensing amount of theliquid crystal material; compensating the dispensing amount of theliquid crystal material when a deviation is generated between themeasured dispensing amount and a set dispensing amount; and dispensingthe liquid crystal material onto the substrate.
 25. The method of claim17, wherein the dispensing of the liquid crystal material furtherincludes setting the dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material.26. The method of claim 25, wherein the setting of the dispensing amountof the liquid crystal material includes calculating the dispensingamount based on an area of unit panel, a display mode of the unit panel,a alignment direction of an alignment layer, and information of theliquid crystal material.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the settingof the dispensing amount of the liquid crystal material includes settinga dispensing amount by a user.
 28. The method of claim 24, wherein themeasuring of the dispensing amount of the liquid crystal materialincludes: measuring a weight of the dispensed liquid crystal materialusing the weight measurement scale; and converting the measured weightinto a value of volume.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein themeasuring of the weight of the liquid crystal material includes:dispensing the liquid crystal material onto a measuring container a setnumber of times; measuring a weight of the dispensed liquid crystalmaterial; and dividing the measured weight by the number of times beingdispensed.
 30. The method of claim 17, wherein the liquid crystaldispensing apparatus includes: a container containing the liquid crystalmaterial therein; a liquid crystal discharge pump for intaking anddischarging the liquid crystal material contained in a materialcontainer; and a nozzle for dispensing the liquid crystal materialdischarged from the liquid crystal discharge pump onto the substrate.31. The method of claim 30, wherein the liquid crystal discharge pumpincludes: a cylinder; a piston inserted into the cylinder and having agroove at a lower portion, for rotating and moving upwardly anddownwardly and thus intaking and discharging the liquid crystalmaterial; and a suction opening and a discharge opening for intaking anddischarging the liquid crystal material according to the movement of thepiston.
 32. A liquid crystal dispensing system comprising: a liquidcrystal dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid crystal materialonto a substrate; a detecting unit for detecting a dispensing state ofthe liquid crystal material, the detecting unit including an impactmeasuring device for detecting an occurrence of earthquake or typhoon;and a controller for controlling the liquid crystal dispensing apparatusto pause dispensing of the liquid crystal material when the abnormaldispensing is detected, wherein an oscillation measuring device measuresan oscillation signal and the controller compares the measuredoscillation signal with the set oscillation value to detect the abnormaldispensing.
 33. A liquid crystal dispensing method comprising: arranginga liquid crystal dispensing apparatus of the liquid crystal dispensingsystem over a dispensing position dispensing the liquid crystal materialat the dispensing position detecting an abnormal dispensing state in anoccurrence of earthquake or typhoon through an oscillation of a weightmeasurement scale to output an oscillation signal; and pausing thedispensing of the liquid crystal material when the abnormal dispensingis detected.